What Essential Oils are Good for Depression?

Today I’m going to share with you what essential oils are good for depression.

Most people will feel depressed at certain points in their life, whether it’s because they lost a loved on, went through a divorce, got fired from a job or any other difficult circumstances. These situations can easily make someone feel lonely, scared, nervous or sad, which are normal reactions to stressful situations.

For some people, though, these feelings of depression don’t seem to have a cause, and they simply feel discouraged, hopeless, sad, unmotivated and life simply holds no interest for them. If you are experiencing such symptoms, you might be suffering from depression. If these episodes last more than two weeks and are interfering with your daily life, then you might be experiencing a major depressive episode.

In 2014, 6.7 percent of American adults experienced at least one such depressive episode during the previous year, and at any point in time between 3 and 5 percent of adults experience major depression, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

While depression can definitely be treated, strong drugs are often used and they can have unpleasant side effects. These powerful treatments might be necessary for someone who has been diagnosed with severe clinical depression, but there are alternatives that aren’t as harsh for those suffering from milder cases of depression.

A variety of nervous system disorders, such as anxiety and depression, can be treated naturally through aromatherapy. Therapeutic grade essential oils are extremely powerful and can help alleviate symptoms and can even be used as a form of prevention. They are an ideal option for anyone suffering from depression, whether on their own or used in conjunction with a pharmacological treatment prescribed by a medical professional.

However, each essential oil has different characteristics, making it suitable for treating various issues, which is why we’re now going to take a quick look at what essential oils are good for depression.

Top 10 Essential Oils Good for Depression

Different essential oils are suitable for treating different conditions. Some have antiseptic properties, others have antioxidant properties and so on, which means that not all essential oils are good for treating depression. That is why it is essential to know that what essential oils are good for depression. Below you will find the top 10 essential oils that have proven to be effective in alleviating symptoms of depression.

It’s important, though, that if you do choose to treat your depression with aromatherapy you make sure you purchase top quality, therapeutic grade essential oils. There are plenty of low-quality oils available on the market and if you go this route, you will be doing yourself more harm than good.

1 Lavender Oil

Lavender has a soothing effect that is ideal for mental relaxation. It has proven useful in balancing moods and releasing mental and physical tension. This herb contains more than 160 different elements that work together to alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms.

Multiple studies have been conducted on this herb and it is believed that lavender oil affects GABA or gamma-Aminobutyric acid levels in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for calming the mind. Due to this mechanism, lavender oil has proven effective in managing depression and anxiety, as well as being an efficient sleep aid.

Thus, lavender oil can be used as a diffusion in the air, or by applying 1 to 2 drops to your feet before going to sleep. Another option is to spot 1 or 2 drops on your pillow.

2 Jasmine Oil

Jasmine oil has antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cicatrizant, galactagogue and many other properties. It is a treatment powerhouse and has a very positive effect on a person’s mood. It’s a relaxing herb and it can be quite uplifting too. This oil has also been discovered to improve confidence and self-esteem, which, coupled with its mood boosting and tension relief properties, makes it an excellent essential oil to treat depression.

3 Neroli Oil

Neroli has rejuvenating and relaxing properties, making it perfect to calm feelings of anxiety. This oil has a wide range of curative properties, including being a bactericidal, an antiseptic, a disinfectant, a sedative and an antidepressant. It not only helps to calm the mind and boost your mood, but it can also help improve your circulations, promote a healthy metabolism and provide essential support to your immune system.

4 Rose Geranium Oil

Rose geranium oil has a lovely floral aroma that promotes relaxation. This oil helps balance hormonal levels and it is believed to stimulate the lymphatic system, which helps to regulate mood and break you out of the vicious cycle of stress, depression, and anxiety.

5 Roman Chamomile Oil

Roman chamomile has been used for more than two millennia in the treatment of various conditions, including insomnia, ADD, and even vomiting. It has a relaxing and calming effect, and though it doesn’t necessarily cure depression, it can certainly provide effective support to a more comprehensive treatment involving other essential oils.

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6 Clary Sage Oil

Clary sage has a wide range of benefits, including promoting the health of your eyes, digestion, nervous system and kidneys. It can help regulate blood pressure, relieve various forms of pain and is even an antiseptic. It is an excellent support system for other treatments of depression as it can alleviate pain related to tension as well as stimulate mental activity.

7 Bergamot Oil

Bergamot is a powerful mood booster and has been used as a calming agent and antidepressant for quite a while. There is significant anecdotal and historical evidence supporting the effectiveness of this oil in treating depression. It acts as a mild sedative, some say comparable with diazepam, which helps to alleviate anxiety. Bergamot appears to act on the hypothalamus by restoring homeostasis, providing an overall calming and relaxing effect. It also has the capacity to redirect nervous energy into positive behavior, resulting in a generally more optimistic mood. This essential oil can be applied to the neck, feet, and back.

8 Sweet Marjoram Oil

Sweet marjoram oil helps improve blood circulation and promotes relaxation, helping you get a good night’s sleep. As a lack of sleep can significantly aggravate depression, it can help alleviate symptoms somewhat. It’s most powerful, though, when used in conjunction with other essential oils for a complete depression treatment.

9 Frankincense Oil

Frankincense was once more valuable than gold thanks to the wide range of curative properties it exhibits. It is especially useful in alleviating sensations of fear, tension, anxiousness, stress and nervousness. It can also help maintain cellular balance and provide critical support to your mind when you are feeling especially anxious. All you need is a few drops on your feet and on the back of your neck to calm both your body and mind.

10 Lemon Oil

Lemon oil is incredibly versatile as it is both a mood booster and an energizer. It also has a mildly sedative effect, which helps to reduce sensations of anxiety. It can also help reduce stress, relieve confusion and inspire security and trust, giving you a more positive perspective. You only need 1 drop of lemon oil in a glass of water, which you can sip throughout the day.

Now that you know what essential oils are good for depression, let’s look at the best five ways to use them to help treat your depression.

Best 5 Ways to Use Essential Oils for Depression

Just by knowing what essential oils are good for depression is not good enough. Let’s learn about numbers of ways you can use essential oils to take advantage of their curative properties. Here are the five most effective methods for treating depression.

1 Diffusion

A diffuser can help disperse the essential oil throughout the day, helping to improve your mood and calm any feelings of anxiety you might experience. Add a few drops to a diffuser and enjoy the benefits. If you are looking to improve your sleep or think more clearly, make sure to use a diffuser in the evening. Another option is to just put a few drops of essential oil on your pillow.

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2 Inhalation

Put a few drops of the essential oil you are using in your palms. Rub your hands together to spread the oil all over your palms and place them over your nose. Breath deeply between 4 and 6 times, taking slow breaths, and you will find that your depression and anxiety will slowly dissipate.
For a more mobile solution, you can add up to 4 drops of essential oil to a cotton ball, which you then place in an airtight bag. You can use the bag to sniff the oil and it will maintain it’s strength throughout the day.

3 Massage

Massages are relaxing on their own but when combined with the right essential oils, they can be an extremely powerful form of therapy. Simply combine 3 ounces of carrier oil, like almond or jojoba oil with 8 to 10 drops of the essential oil you are using and then enjoy your massage.

4 Rub

Similar to a massage, but in this case, instead of massaging it in, you simply rub the concoction on your chest, wrists, feet, ears, and neck to experience immediate benefits. Combine 2 tablespoons of carrier oil with 5 to 10 drops of essential oil for the best results.

5 Bathing

Add between 5 and 10 drops of essential oil to your bath water to help reduce depression, stress, and anxiety. For sensitive skin, combine the essential oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil. Ideally, don’t add the oil to running water as it will disperse the oil too quickly.

5 Essential Oil Recipes Good for Depression

Now you know not only what essential oils are good for depression but also how to use them most effectively, so it’s time to take a look at 5 essential oil blends that will offer the best results in treating depression.

1 Fight Depression in the Bath

Combine the following ingredients in a small glass jar. Make sure to use dark glass to prevent oxidation from occurring. The following blend is perfect for a relaxing yet uplifting soak:

1 drop sandalwood

4 drops ylang-ylang

2 drops basil

3 drops rose geranium

4 drops clary sage

Once mixed, add to your bath water and enjoy.

2 Another Antidepressant Bath Oil

Combine the following in a dark bottle and roll the bottle between your palms to mix well:

8 drops grapefruit oil

2 drops marjoram oil

8 drops lavender oil

1 drop chamomile oil

1 drop geranium oil

2 fl oz carrier oil (jojoba, almond etc)

To use, add 1/4 oz of the blend to a tub of tepid bath water. Mix by hand and enjoy your soak.

3 Antidepressant Bath Salts

Combine the following ingredients well:

3 cups Epsom or sea salt1 drop bergamot oil

2 drops ylang-ylang oil

2 drops patchouli oil

2 drops geranium oil

3 drops neroli oil

1 tbsp carrier oil (jojoba, almond etc)

First, combine the carrier oil with the essential oils then add the blend to the salt and mix well using a spoon. To keep its power, make sure to store the bath salt in an airtight container. To use, simply add between 1/2 and 1 cup of prepared bath salt to your bath water and mix until the salt has dissolved completely.

4 Antidepressant Massage Oil

Combine the following ingredients:

2 drops orange oil

3 drops geranium oil

3 drops lavender oil

2 fl oz carrier oil

Add the carrier oil to a dark bottle and then add the essential oils. Screw the lid on tightly and shake well to blend.

5 Antidepressant Air Freshener

Combine the following ingredients in a spray bottle with a fine mist setting.

1 1/2 fl oz distilled water

1 1/2 fl oz high proof alcohol

1 drop lavender oil

2 drops bergamot oil

3 drops sage oil

To use, make sure to shake the bottle well before spraying any room where you wish to relax.

Summary

Now, you know what essential oils are good for depression and a few recipes to help treat your depression. If you are experiencing mild symptoms, aromatherapy might be more than enough for your needs, but if you are experiencing severe symptoms, you should see a medical professional.

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